Men’s Tips on How to Dress For a Job Interview

Prospective employers are incredibly discerning individuals, and it takes a diligently attentive effort to appease their judgmental inclinations during a job interview. During the hiring process, extreme emphasis is placed on every minor detail of an applicant’s personal appearance. It takes a tactfully refined approach to satisfy the picky whims of an interviewer.

Delicate moderation is the key to a successful job interview. One needs to stand out from their vast field of competitors without compromising their conservative demeanor. A strong resume is useless without cultivating a professional persona. It is not a time to be flashy; instead, adherence to traditional style tactics will garner the most favorable reaction.

1. The Basics On How to Dress For a Job Interview

Before clothing can even be addressed, grooming and manscaping habits need to be handled. Remember, this occasion is not about expressing personality; in fact, it is quite the contrary. Conformity is a visual utility, and credentials should be the primary selling point. Ostentatious flair is an unnecessary distraction; therefore, facial hair should be completely disavowed before an interview. Make sure to showcase a freshly clean-shaven presentation, and be especially careful to avoid any nicks along the jaw.

Additionally, get a new haircut the day before the interview. Keep your haircut short, and keep it standard. Even if it seems like a sacrifice, hair length is a much more temporary predicament than employment. Any hairstyle can be recouped with a little time, but some occupational positions are once in a lifetime opportunities. Because of the extra confidence it inherently instills, a haircut is a useful investment even if the length is already appropriate. Always stick to a trusted salon. A well-tapered persona will be unrivaled among all competitors for the job.

2. The Suit

Simplicity is the cornerstone of an appealing suit combination. The color tones should be kept dark and bold. Navy is the safest bet, but black and blue are viable alternatives. A suit that has been in a man’s wardrobe for too long can appear stale even if it is in pristine condition.

This is why it is wise to purchase a new suit. The investment ensures that dimensions will be accurately tailored, and it guarantees a sharp persona. All wrinkles should be removed, and professional dry-cleaning is the most reliable option for an impressively coiffed suit.

3. The Shirt

Minimalism is the foundation of an effective job interview shirt. Spread collars are recommended, and a button down layout is the best. In terms of color, white is easily the safest choice. The point of a shirt is to create an aesthetic backdrop for every other accessory.

Because it is only meant to demonstrate orderly cleanliness, a shirt with vibrant colors can detract from more important details. A blank slate is the smartest option, but light shades of other colors can provide a striking accent if deployed with proper subtlety. Pale blues can bring out the vivid shades of a dark navy suit combo.

4. The Tie
Skillful coordination is required for a job interview, and every aspect of male fashion intersects at how to select a necktie. This pivotal feature is a defining element of a man’s attire, and it needs to be carefully fine-tuned prior to the important meeting.

Anything too fancy will be perceived as offensively unprofessional, but a design without originality will seem meek and amateurish. Display a forceful color coupled with a modest pattern. Red tones are invigoratingly memorable, and blues are limitlessly savvy.

Green shades are inventive and quirky, which makes it a coloration to avoid in conservative professions; however, it is a portentous choice in the field of independently hired artists and craftsmen. Also, the knot must be precisely tied without undue extravagance. Most importantly, the tie should directly complement the shirt underneath it.

5. The Shoes

A hopeful interviewee should stake their chances on a fine pair of leather shoes. There is no need for an over-the-top selection, just find a pair that demonstrates modest classiness. Polish them on a regular basis to keep a sleek interview presentation accessible for short notice calls.

Keep the undersides clean, because they will certainly be judged as well. Laces should be crisp, and they need to be tied with care to avoid looseness or unkemptness. Avoid overly squeaky footwear, and keep the style streamlined.

6. Accessories
Shiny jewelry like men’s bracelets and decadent watches should be removed beforehand. Besides the essential adornments such as a wedding ring, a sophisticated watch, or tie clip, no other jewelery should be involved in a job interview setting. This includes the removal of all piercings.

The belt is another crucial consideration. It should be new enough to eliminate any cracks and crinkles in the leather, but worn enough that it does not inhibit visible comfortability. Above all else, it should be the exact same color as the shoes. Despite any outstanding qualifications, a mismatch between these two components can equal instant rejection.

Socks should be discrete. Black is really the only color that does not attract needless attention. Make sure they are neat, and work for total synchronization with every other part of an interview outfit. In return, save your “fun” socks for when you start working there as part of the team.

7. Job Interview Attitude

Men often fail to realize that their personality is simply another accessory being subjected to intensive analysis. The attitude that an applicant projects can be a crucial deciding factor in the organization’s hiring decision. Unpleasant behaviors can significantly detract from an otherwise flawless presentation. Cordiality and cooperation should be stressed at all times.

Treat the receptionist with respect, and show a relaxed confidence in the waiting room. The boss will consider every minor social infraction in their final determination. Actions to never display include fidgeting, interrupting and stuttering. Eschew witty sarcasm for clear straightforwardness. Be concise, and maintain a thoughtfully polite smile at all times.

8. Additional Men’s Job Interview Tips

Specialize your look based on the occupational field. Service industries allow for subtle indications of casualness to be added to a suit. This demonstrates warmth, personableness and a connection to the people. To garner this image, simply don an urban blazer. A suave sweater vest can also do the trick. Meanwhile, corporate positions require maximum conformity.

Any deviations from the strict norm will lead to an unpleasant interview in the financial sector. Creative professions are the opposite. Since formality is not directly necessitated, the standards for artistic professions are more flexible; however, this generates a starker field of original competition. In this regard, keep the attire classy, but emphasize alternate selections with brighter shades. Too many creative-type people emphasize artistic integrity to the point that they forget about being professional.

Also, forge a personal connection. During instances of a well-qualified field, a meaningful bond can be a true advantage. Do not offer flattery because this will surely backfire; instead, simply offer sincere agreements to any philosophy being expressed by the interviewer.

This kind of link is intellectually welcomed, and it will transcend any superficial compliments they receive from other applicants. The interviewer will definitely hire the person that demonstrates a cunning ability to cooperatively think in the same critical ways being applied by the top-tier of the company.

9. Common Men’s Fashion Errors and How to Avoid Them

Always aim for unfettered simplicity! An excessively fancy wardrobe can inadvertently outshine a potential boss, which makes the job seem financially insignficant for the applicant. If an occupation seems to be below the interviewee’s economic status, questions will arise about intentions and reliability. To prevent this unsavory outcome, keep a steady focus on only the fundamentals. A pure presentation showcases desirable hirability. Anything else is a risky distraction.

Obession over minor details is rarely healthy, but it is an invaluable asset in the context of a job interview. The perception of leaving a positive impression can be devastated afterwards by the discovery of a missing button. Slight discrepancies in this form can completely derail an interview, and they present an insurmountable eyesore.

Other ruinous revelations included errant strands of hair, sweat stains and open zippers. The interviewer will appreciate the presence of attentive hygiene and fashion. If there is a statistical tie between the qualities of multiple applicants, cleanliness is often used as a tiebreaker.

With all of this focus on visual appeal, do not forget about the other senses. Scent leaves the most powerful imprint upon the human psyche. Intense odors, natural or unnatural, will result in disqualification. Try not to smell like anything at all. The subconscious mind is programmed to instantly link scents to memories, and no man wants his cologne to accidentally cause the interviewer to reminisce about his ex-wife. The connection between smell and personal history cannot be stopped, so stave off seemingly random rejections by remaining unoffensive to the nose.

In the same vein, a man must emphasize confidence through his voice. Shakiness is not permitted, and a consistently deliberate tone should be emphasized at every moment. Demonstrate bravado through brevity.

10. Final Note On How to Dress For a Job Interview

The clothes an individual wears for an interview sets the standard for their daily attire once they are hired; therefore, try not to set the bar unattainably high. Otherwise, a man will be permanently trapped in a league of fashion above his own if he is granted a job based on falsely cultivated appearances of distinguishment. Match the peak requirements of an organization’s dress-code, but never exceed them.